Baldwin County valedictorians and salutatorians: Twins take top spots at BCHS (photo gallery)

BAY MINETTE, Alabama -- Among the many graduations planned across the county in the next week, the class getting the most double takes will likely be the one with a sister act at the academic top at Baldwin County High.

Twins Ashley and Hayley Jones, 18, learned late last week that they were valedictorian and salutatorian respectively at BCHS. Their final grade point averages were about 1 one-hundredth of a point apart.

"We didn’t know until they called out our names," said Ashley Jones on Friday. "We had 3 people who could possibly have made it, and the other was our cousin."

Ashley, the older by 7 minutes, said she and her sister have been close all their lives, and even plan to attend the University of Mobile together in the fall pursuing nursing careers. So the rivalry can continue, she said.

"I’m really proud of her," Hayley said of her sister. "We both made it this far and did very well and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love her so much."

Both listed math as their favorite subject. Hayley said they have always studied together, and worked in tandem to keep each other on track. And at least once to prank a teacher.

"In fourth grade we switched places," Ashley recalled. "We were in the same classroom and just changed seats, answered to each other’s name and signed papers as the other. But as the day went on, our teacher started catching on and noticing things."

As mirror twins, she said, 1 is right-handed while the other is left-handed. That was the dead giveaway.

"It was April Fool’s Day," Hayley said. "She didn’t really catch on until about 1:30 that day, close to the end of the day. We finally admitted it and switched back."

Hayley said the sisters made the choice to go into nursing after hearing their mother’s stories of her work.

"She would come home telling us about what happened at work and how she loves helping people," Hayley said. "We decided that’s what we wanted to do."

For Baldwin County High’s graduation on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the school stadium, the audience will hear from both sisters.

Other graduation ceremonies in the county include:

Bayside Academy, yesterday, 6 p.m. on the bluff at the school in Daphne.